The Kiwanis of San Marcos held their weekly meeting at Grin’s Restaurant at noon. The group led by President Pam Cook hosted speaker Delia Cruz-Fernandez. She spoke about Puerto Rico and presented a power point presentation and video on her home country. She attended Universidad de Puerto Rico and received her undergraduate degree in Math Education and her Masters in the Arts of Teaching Spanish from Rutgers University. She is currently a high school Spanish math teacher at Lehman in Kyle, Texas.

Cruz-Fernandez talked about different geographic regions in Puerto Rico and its rain forest with over 240 different species of trees. She also discussed the parrot and its possibility of extinction. She discussed the tree frog and how there are 16 different species of this animal in Puerto Rico.

She said, “Tourism is the main source of income for this country.” She briefly talked about music, literature, and the fine arts. Salsa dancing was developed in the country and it has over 20 world class golf courses.

She also discussed how both Spanish and English are taught in local schools at the same time. The presentation was well received by its members and the speaker held a question and answer session after the meeting.

In Kiwanis news, the group spoke about last weeks speakers Scott Gregson and Helen Miers. Members made contributions again this week, for more information on donating to the grand piano fund at San Marcos High School contact Scott Gregson at scott@newstreamz.com.

The Kiwanis also recognized members and friends which made the flag program a success on the fourth of July. The members and friends noted for their help were Francis Mendez, Delia Cruz-Fernandez, Glen Rydl, Ted Breihan, John Polk, Lon Shell, Lauren McBride, Kelli Whigham, Steve Whigham, Pam Cook, Randy Cook, Ronald Oswalt and Hayden Oswalt. Funds raised from this event will benefit the San Marcos Public Library Summer Reading Program.

The group also welcomed Josie Lucio, Campus Technologist at San Marcos High School and Francis Breihan of Breihan Electric Company in San Marcos.

The group has also started its own blog and it is available at http://www.kiwanis-sanmarcos-tx.blogspot.com/.
The group noted that September 18th at 6 p.m. they will hold their annual Installation Banquet at the Price Center.

The group also discussed holding a city-wide youth basketball camp in downtown San Marcos with P.J. Todd of the Austin Toros, members of the NBA Development League, in association with newstreamz.com. The group agreed to volunteer and support this possible upcoming event, more news will be released as it becomes available. Todd is expected to speak to this civic group soon.

The featured Kiwanis member of the week was Moe Johnson, he teaches in the Physical Education department at Texas State University. He is supported by his wife Diane and has three sons. He is originally from North Dakota and has also taught at West Point. He has written a local running article and it will become a featured staple on newstreamz.com soon.

His advice for others is, “Take advantage of everything San Marcos has to offer.”

For information on joining the Kiwanis of San Marcos call President Pam Cook at 512-353-3383. The group meets every Thursday at noon at Grin’s Restaurant located at 802 North LBJ in San Marcos.

From Staff Reports

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Delia Cruz-Fernandez speaks to the Kiwanis on Puerto Rico at their weekly meeting.

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Moe Johnson was selected Kiwanis member of the week.

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Randy Cook talks to fellow members about their recent community involvements.

Great program. No passport is needed to travel to Puerto Rico and both Spanish and English are official languages – for fitness people there are some great trails to hike or bike – and swim, dive or snorkel. i need to keep that trip in mind for the future.
Moe